| With the creation of his Rhythm
group, Waller gave audiences what they wanted, a gradual shift from the
staccato of New Orleans-style jazz towards the swing sound. His first recordings
as Fats Waller and his Rhythm on 16 May 1934 marked a new trend in jazz.
At all times, the apparency of unrestraint seems to be a hallmark of his
Rhythm recordings throughout the thirties, yet with a bit of analysis,
it becomes apparent that there was an underlying matrix of organization.
This was due in part to the camaraderie of the sidemen and their instinctive
knowledge of each other's styles and in part to Waller's innate ability
to be a leader, to guide with a suggestive arpeggio or chord, sometimes
a verbal goad, so that the end result came out sounding like there might
have been a lot of beforehand practice. Such was not the case. |
|
